Most successful BSC's have spent considerable time and effort in the establishment of a Corporate Mission. Once established, that Mission serves as the guiding force that drives the company along the path towards achievement of its long-term goals and objectives. The Mission provides the framework, but the value---and ultimate success---of any Mission is entirely dependent upon the company's team members.
Many Missions that looked good on paper were never fully realized due to a failure to engage and energize the company's team members. Achieving---and sustaining---high levels of team member support for your Mission requires significant management commitment. A few basic principles to consider....
Communicate Your Mission
Do your team members know what the Mission is? If not, they are not alone. This is a common problem within many companies; Missions are established and documented but then poorly communicated. Communicate your corporate mission across your business. Tailor your communication techniques in ways that bring the most value to the specific audience. Informed team members are more likely to be engaged team members.
Giving Life to Your Corporate Mission
A corporate Mission needs to be more than just a document. It must be a living, breathing entity. It should be the foundation from which operational goals and objectives are established. The links between your operational objectives and your overarching Mission should be clear to your managers as well as their team members. Your team members will be much more energized by objectives that are clearly tied to the big-picture success of the company.
Active Engagement and Cultivation
Getting your team members on board with your Mission will not be a one-time activity. It will be an ongoing process. You will learn as you go. You will find that some tactics work well while others do not. There will be several factors at play. Corporate culture, the specifics of your Mission, operational structure, and team personalities will all combine to determine your most effective engagement and cultivation strategies. A few time-tested basics would include the following:
Empowerment
Give your managers and supervisors the tools and training they need to fulfill the Mission. When fully empowered they will be equipped to provide appropriate levels of empowerment to their team members. This will help create an environment of mutual trust and motivation that comes from working toward a shared objective.
Giving a Voice
Over time, your Mission-supporting goals and objectives will change. When practical, give your team members a voice in that change process. Encourage them to express their ideas for improvements within their specific areas of responsibility. Many good ideas come from the bottom up.
Visibility
Team members are much more likely to remain on board with a Mission if they have visibility into how that Mission is progressing. Put a plan in place for periodic communication of Mission status to your team members. Let them see the positive as well as the negative.
Getting your team members on board with your Corporate Mission is as essential as the Mission itself. Without their support your Mission could be severely crippled.
